Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Rural Development, today announced over $2.2 million in funding to the Encinal Water Supply Corporation to build new water lines and improve existing water services for local residents.

Congressman Cuellar helped secure a USDA Rural Development loan for $1,300,000 and a USDA Rural Development grant for $973,000 for the Encinal Water Supply Corporation under the agency’s Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program.

The total amount of federal funding is $2,303,000 and will be used to replace older and smaller existing water main lines as well as fire hydrants and will connect all water services to new and larger water lines in street right of ways of the city.

Congressman Henry Cuellar presents a check for $2,303,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Development to the Encinal Water Supply Corporation on Friday, March 31. The federal funds will be used for water infrastructure projects in Encinal, Texas. Pictured from left to right are: Cesario Vela, Community Unlimited; Guadalupe Valdez, Area Director, USDA Rural Development; Betty Soto, USDA Area Specialist; Micheal Canales, Community Programs Director, USDA Rural Development; Anita Rodriguez, Board President, Encinal Water Supply Corporation (EWSC); Congressman Henry Cuellar, Antonio Nieto, EWSC Board Vice President; City of Encinal Mayor Sylvano Sanchez; Victoriano Casas, ESWC Consulting Manager; and Raul Garcia, Engineer, Garcia & Wright LLC Engineer.

“Today’s $2.2 million federal investment into Encinal’s water infrastructure will not only help residents have better water services, but it will also help for the continuous growth of our great community,” Congressman Cuellar said. “I thank Daniel Torres, Acting State Director of USDA Rural Development, and the Encinal Water Supply Corporation for their help in securing these funds to further develop Encinal’ s water infrastructure.”

“Having safe and reliable water and waste disposal services is vital to the health of rural communities,” said Daniel Torres, USDA Rural Development Texas Acting State Director.  “Rural Development is pleased to offer funding to improve water services for Encinal Water Supply Corporation.”

In May 2015, the Encinal Water Supply Corporation received $30,000 in federal funds to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report and Environmental report, which was a requirement for the USDA Rural Development loan and grant application.

More about the current USDA RD funding
The Rural Development funds totaling $2,303,000 will be used to replace old, small, existing, and deteriorated water lines with 6" and 8" water mains; replace water valves; adding and replacing fire hydrants; connecting all water services to new water lines in the street right of ways.  Loops would be created within the distribution system which would help to balance the pressures throughout the system as required by Texas commission on Environmental Quality.  An 8" water transmission main will be constructed along the east side of I-35, which would provide a water main loop east of I-35. Encinal WSC serves the City of Encinal and the surrounding area with a population of approximately 728.